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Sr Magdalene SheahanSister Magdalene's Ministry Focus on AucklandSister Magdalen works with a variety of adults who come to the Waitakere Adult Literacy Centre. “Kia Ora Koutou It is difficult to witness adults who are making attempts to achieve their goals of reading and writing being penalised once again. Skills we so often take for granted, they had not learned as children, for a variety of reasons, illness, shifting frequently, trauma, hearing problems, disabilities etc. O With the recent introduction of the Auckland Regional Council Rates, as well as increases in the usual rates bills, a couple of our Adult Literacy Students lost their small jobs housecleaning, as home owners cut down on this little luxury of employing others to clean their homes. Sometimes students choose to stop their lessons while taking responsibilities for other areas of their lives, e.g. ill parents, children, spouses, late arrival of baby sitters, shift work etc. These are just a few of the examples people with literacy difficulties face. I enjoy the challenge of working among these people. In July I was among several tutors from Waitakere Adult Literacy Centre, who participated in the Literacy Aotearoa Student Writing Workshop. At the end of this national hui, the writing the students accomplished during their workshop was collated into a book and presented to the students at the final session. Students then had a chance to share with the rest of the delegates, what it had meant to them to participate. A few chose to read their contributions. This book in turn also becomes a reading resource provided by students themselves for others throughout the country to benefit from.” Sister Magdalen has been a note taker for students of Maori Theology. “Working as a note taker for students with disabilities has been an interesting experience. It provided some challenge and exercise for arthritic fingers and thumbs and of course the notes had then to be typed so the students could read them. It was an interesting way to revisit the Mäori Theology programme and see how it has developed since I participated in the class as a student some years ago.” Sister Magdalen supports others by her presence and her gift of time. “Other aspects of the work I am involved in are being where the need is. Sometimes one’s presence is all that is needed. One must never underestimate the power of this, although it can be difficult sometimes for others to understand. Time for others is a gift, which can heal and restore. There is a saying He aha te mea nui i tënei ao? He tangata. He tangata. He tangata. What is the greatest thing in this world? It is people. It is people. It is people. At other times the call may be something of a more practical nature, like giving a caregiver a break over a couple of days to restore energy, so that refreshed they can devote themselves fully to their loved one. Arohanui |
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ne man who was making slow yet steady gains towards his certification as a tradesman was told to go and get a job and forget about the study, by his case officer, because he was taking too long.